One-On-One with Joel Ward

Posted on July 27, 2014
by Brad Herson

This past Saturday, July 26th, the Washington Capitals and Inova Blood Services hosted their annual summer blood drive at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Once again, it was a large turnout where fans and donors arrived between 7:00 AM through 5:00 PM. Aside donating to a great cause, a major draw to this event is the bobblehead giveaway. This time, Joel Ward received the bobblehead treatment. Unfortunately, customs issues delayed the giveaway. Coincidentally, the same happened to the Nicklas Backstrom bobblehead at the previous blood drive. To make up for the delay, the Capitals put together a package that included a Dunkin Dounuts $0.99 refill cup, two upper level tickets to a Capitals pre-season home game, and a Capitals & Inova Blood Donor Services t-shirt. The package also included a voucher to redeem at any Capitals home game, regular business hours at the Verizon Center, or at any future Kettler Capitals Iceplex blood drives for the Ward bobblehead.

While the bobblehead did not make the blood drive, the highlight of the day for those who came was the appearance of the real Joel Ward. He walked around to greet fans as well as doctors, sign autographs, pose for pictures, and even to donate blood. I was able to ask him a few questions about the offseason, Barry Trotz, the blood drive, and his thoughts on his own bobblehead:

Ward: "Good. I remember him yelling at me in Nashville. He's a good guy, very detailed."

Q: What are you looking to build on from last season?

Ward: "I want to be consistent, take the good from last season and build from that." (Earlier during his presser, he mentioned that he "wanted to score 50.")

Q: What are your thoughts on the day (the blood drive)?

Ward: "Huge. Lots of people showed up. Giving back is always good. It's great seeing people during the summer wearing red and Caps gear."

Q: What are your thoughts on the bobblehead?

Ward: "Had one in Nashville that wasn't even close. This one is much more accurate. My family and friends want one. I'll get mine when it comes in."

It was a great day for Caps fans who made the trip to Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Inova's blood drives are always a fun event to go to and is a major help for a great cause. If you are an avid bobblehead collector (like me), then it is well worth getting stuck with a needle. Be on the lookout for Inova's next blood drive. They also partner with the Washington Redskins and Washington Nationals.